British zoologist sentenced to 249 years in jail for raping, killing dogs: report

DARWIN: A 53-year-old crocodile expert who raped and tortured animals faces 249 years behind bars in Australia.

Britton, originally from West Yorkshire and holding a zoology degree from the University of Leeds and a PhD from the University of Bristol, admitted to over 60 charges, potentially resulting in a 249-year prison sentence.

According to the Mirror news, Britton’s crimes, committed over a two-year span, involved the rape, torture, and killing of dogs inside a shipping container on his property.

The court proceedings have enraged animal rights activists, and Britton's legal representatives have argued that he suffers from "paraphilia," a condition marked by intense sexual fantasies about atypical objects, places, or situations.

Britton, a former senior researcher at Charles Darwin University, broke down in court when his condition was discussed. He was charged last year with eight counts of bestiality, four counts of possessing and transmitting child abuse material, and 37 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Chief Justice Grant, recognizing the "confronting and distressing" nature of the case, excused security staff and police officers from the courtroom to prevent adverse psychological reactions. The case has been adjourned pending a psychiatric report and will continue on August 8.

Britton, who was involved with the conservation site Big Gecko in Australia, had previously sold footage of crocodiles to the BBC and National Geographic and frequently shared images of his animals on social media. However, his darker activities were exposed when police received a tip-off from an online sleuth.